AtriClip May Free Afib Patients from Blood Thinners While Reducing the Risk of Stroke

HEART

AtriClip may free Afib patients from blood thinners while reducing the risk of stroke

Every 40 seconds in the United States someone has a stroke, and every four minutes someone dies from one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, up to half of all strokes are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, and not smoking.

People with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat, commonly called AFib) are five to seven times more likely to have a stroke than the general population because AFib can cause blood clots, which can be released and block blood flow to the brain. Anticoagulation therapy (blood-thinning medication) is often used to help prevent that, but some people cannot stay on blood-thinners for a long time because of a high risk of bleeding. Some people simply don’t want to take blood-thinners because of side effects.

A safe and effective alternative to medication

There is another option. A device called an AtriClip, which was developed and used as an adjunct procedure for patients undergoing open heart surgery, is now being used as a standalone procedure for patients with AFib who want to lower their risk for stroke without taking blood-thinning medication.

This new application for the AtriClip has evolved over the past 10 years, says Philip Bongiorno, MD, a Cleveland Clinic Florida cardiothoracic surgeon. It was FDA-approved for left atrial appendage exclusion during open heart surgery in 2010.

“Evidence is showing that having a clip placed properly is just as effective as anti-coagulation therapy,” Dr. Bongiorno says. “This is a safe and effective way to treat one of the main complications of atrial fibrillation.”

How AtriClip works to prevent strokes

The majority of blood clots caused by AFib form in the left atrial appendage (LAA) of the heart. When a blood clot is released, it can block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. The AtriClip is implanted into the LAA to cut off blood flow both in and out of it, thereby eliminating the risk of clot formation. After the AtriClip is implanted, AFib patients have a greatly reduced risk for stroke while being able to immediately stop taking bloodthinning medication.

The procedure itself is minimally invasive, requiring only three small incisions in the chest and a one-night stay in the hospital, Dr. Bongiorno says. In August 2020, he and his team began using a robotic approach to the procedure, which allows for even more surgical precision. Patients typically recover within about a week and can then return to normal activities.

Who is a candidate for AtriClip?

Anyone with AFib who has the desire or a medical need to stop taking blood-thinning medication is a good candidate for AtriClip. Talking to your cardiologist is a good first step to find out if you qualify for the procedure.

TALK WITH AN EXPERT.

To make an appointment with Dr. Bongiorno or another Cleveland Clinic cardiovascular medicine specialist, please call 877.463.2010 or schedule online at ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Heart.